Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1887-03-31
BARRATT GETS THERE.
He Receives His Commission as Post
master Of Salt Lake City-A Good
Democrat in the Right Place.
Mr.. Barratt Tells How He Got the Ap
pOintment, and How His Com
mission was Received.
He Touches Upon the Send OH Given
by the Republican Organ
This Morning.

city, last night received from Washing
ton, a document which set at rest all
anxiety that his candidacy may have
caused him. This was nothing more nor
less than his commission as Postmaster
vice w. G. Browe.
In conversation with reporter of The
DEMOCRAT, Mr.. Barratt this morning
made the following statements in relation
to the matter:
Have you any objections to giving The
DEMO some particulars as to the late
canvass for the position of postmaster?
None whatever. On the 18th of March,
think. returned to the President the
papers which were first submitted, be-
lieve, in May 1885, with the following
letter attached:
believing that my training and expert
ence have been such that I can fill, to the
satisfaction of the Government and this
community, the position of postmaster,
respectfully ask the consideration of any
papers submitted and the appointment"
This is all 1 have sent to the President
graphed Mr.. j. ]. Dickey, of Omaha,
that the Office had become vacant by the
death of Mr.. Browe, and that would re-
turn the original papers. Later l wrote
him would not canvass the city for sup
port, nor permit it to be canYassed in my
behalf, as 1 could but feel that under the
circumstances it would be indicate at
least, saying to him that he could use
his own judgment as to forwarding my
letter to the department, further stating
that l felt some reason should be as
signed for returning the old and consid-
erably dilapidated papers.
OF the endorsement of the gentlemen
connected with THE DEMOCRAT l pre-
sumo you are advised. In addition, sew
eral letters were forwarded by infuen-
tial gentlemen of this city, some of which
did not reach their destination until after
the appointment was made. l am none
the less under obligations to them, how
ever, because OF that. On the morning
of the 25th | received the following tele-
gram:
Stevenson telegraphs that you have been
appointed. J.J. DICKEY.
Since then l have received nothing nor
have l sent anything. On the Goth
heard that Mr.. John w. Young had tele-
graphed to Mr.. Jack that had been ap-
pointed, then followed the dispatch
copied from the Leadville paper by the
Tribune that Jack Mormon had been
appointed, and the one from the Chicago
Times published in the Herald. In
short, l considered the matter settled
from the time | received the first dis
patch, and the later publications but
confirmed that opinion. Last night L
was called upon at the Alta Club by that
agreeable and irrepressible member of
the press, Mr.. Lipman of the Tribune,
who said that it was rumored on the
street that had been appointed and had
already received my commission. 1t was
news to me, and Mr.. Lipman suggested
that go the postofice. Our box con-
tanned a fat and good-natured official en-
velope deadhead, and postmarked Wash
ington, 5 p. M, 25th. 1 would like to
say here that the postoffice, as l have
been taught, is somewhat akin to the
telegraph Office in this regard. The let
tiers within are strictly the private prop
erty of the individual to whom they are
addressed, and there is no good reason,
l take it, why their presence should be
known so soon upon the street. 1t were
well to be discreet less something might
get untimely out and breed no end OF
trouble. The letter of last night would
have kept until this morning, and !
would have $1.75 instead of a miners
candlestick with yellow necktie.
Do you know, Mr.. Barratt, you are
ora fhoD cT1craotaH If
Democrat and there has been some curl
osity about what you would do in regard
to the employees of the office?
Well, that curiosity for the present
will have to remain unqualified. l have
heard of but one vacancy, and Mr.. Cleve-
land has filled that by appointing Dem
ocrat. shall feel warranted in follow
ing his example when occasion justifes.
l belong to the "strict construction
wing of the party, however, and shall
not swear any man as to his belief, hence,
l can see no help for me but to watch
closely my associates, and if they are
found bright and quick, and can read
pen writing, shall respect their politics
Seriously, am not in the Office yet and
know few of the employees, and my pres
ent discussion of the matter is uncalled
for.
You are aware that it has been stated
that there are but two Democrats in the
Office.
Well, should l meet the requirements,
there will be third, and this little
leaven may leaven the whole lump, and
since most of the employees are young, it
will not be case of "death-bed re-
pentance."
In conclusion, would like to say to
you, Mr.. Reporter, as / stated in SUBJ
stance to Mr.. Lipman, am in no way
indebted to Washington lobbyists for
this position, and l am further satisfied
that the men who have endorsed me
from here are of that broad and royal
stamp who can do a man a service and
not presume to own him ever after.
One other matter, Mr.. Barratt, if you
please. Have you read the editorial in
the Tribune?
| not only read it, but read it twice
over, and the second time very slowly.
l honor the manly candor OF the second
sentence. 1t is worthy and what might
be expected of brave journal and an
honorable man after the fight is over but
l confess the latter part of it rather sur
prises me. | cannot but think it evinces
a bitterness of spirit and party hatred
which came with a bad grace from the
avowed apostle of free thought, liberal
discussion and local unity. do not care
to discuss the matter further now, and
hope your paper will not. If, hereafter,
II Il r Al